Garret Anderson inducted into Angels Hall of Fame

ANAHEIM>> Garret Anderson knocked the dust of his 2002 World Series championship ring Saturday morning.

The Angels all-time leader in seven offensive categories called it the only tangible thing from his 20-year baseball career. He wore it when he became the 14th individual inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony on Saturday, where Angels owner Arte Moreno presented Anderson with a couple more tangible reminders of his lofty place in Angels history, a Hall of Fame ring and a bright red jacket.

“Even watching video (of my career), it still doesn’t feel real to me,” Anderson said before the ceremony. “I can drive by the stadium taking my kids somewhere and it still feels like I honestly didn’t play there. I wish I could hold onto something to let me know it was real. Even though I played 20 years of pro ball, snap, it was gone.”

Anderson, 44, most famously provided the three-run, game-winning double in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. The three-time All Star only recently discovered his three children - two are in high school and one is in college - shared repeated viewings of the famed hit.

Answering questions was far from Anderson’s forte during his baseball career. He was notoriously reserved with the fans and the media, something he expressed remorse about Saturday. Perhaps he softened his image with the 1000-watt smile he routinely flashed during remarks from former teammates Tim Salmon, Troy Percival and Torii Hunter during the pregame ceremony.

“Of all the players that have come through here, there haven’t been many that have been as talented as Garrett,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “I think his passion to play this game was very real, although it didn’t manifest itself the way it did with some other players.”

Anderson gave a lengthy speech to the crowd in addition to gushing about the honor of joining the Angels Hall of Fame in a press conference prior to the ceremony. He wasn’t reserved about his acknowledgement of the gesture, but that didn’t apply to everybody in his family.

He told his mother of the honor when the Angels informed him a month ago.

“I texted her the other day and said ‘I’ll see you Saturday,’” Anderson said. “And she said ‘For what.’”

Anderson chuckled when he recalled the moment knowing his mother was already in the stands with many other members of his large family in attendance Saturday who participated in the raucous cheers for Anderson from the Angel Stadium crowd.

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Giavotella designated for assignment

The Angels designated Johnny Giavotella for assignment on Saturday and will give a number of different players a crack at second base the remainder of the season. Giavotella, 29, was the Angels’ starting second baseman 214 of the last 284 games, but he has just one hit in August and was held out of the lineup the last five games.

“I think being just able to play second base, his opportunities had started to diminish,” Scioscia said. “And not being versatile, it was going to be tough, especially if we’re not going to commit to him to play second base every day, it was going to be tough for him to get at-bats and contribute. So I think we’re going to take a look at a couple other different avenues.”

Those other avenues consist of Gregorio Petit, Cliff Pennington and Kaleb Cowart, who will split time at second base. Pennington has spent considerable time on the disabled list this season while Petit and Cowart have been up and down from the minor leagues.

Cron reinstated from DL

C.J. Cron was reinstated from the disabled list after missing 35 games with a broken hand.

Yunel Escobar was placed on the seven-day concussion DL after sustaining a concussion Friday when he fouled a ball into his face.

Caleb Cowart, who will likely see time at second base and third base, was recalled from Triple-A.